Fantasy/Dream tips for Plus Size Cruisers (you know who you are) :)

[dunnhorn]

We just got off the Fantasy today after a wonderful week-long trip in ocean bliss! This was our third DCL cruise and I have noticed that they just keep getting better and better!

It occurred to me yesterday that it might be helpful to other plus size passengers (like myself) if I passed on a couple tips that I discovered during the week. Sometimes it helps to be prepared with these kinds of things....

1. If you plan on using the spa, bring your own white robe if you care about "fitting in." It's funny, because I have been to many spas in the southeast (Ritz Carlton Reynolds Plantation, Grove Park Inn, Chateau Elan, and they ALL have plus size robes. However, neither Disney nor DCL has plus size robes. It's like - they expect all spa folks to be skinny doodle. I have complained about this for years.

2. Consider booking a room near the forward elevators. We were in 5546 which was AMAZING. It had an extended balcony which fit 4 comfortably, and you could easily watch the fireworks from the extended balcony. It also had 4 chairs, two of which were the half reclining loungers. We were always able to get an elevator quickly (which cannot be said about the midship or even aft elevators.)

3. The other reason to be near the forward elevators is the adult area. You can easily catch the elevators up to the spa to take a shower in the spa changing/locker room - a MUCH better experience than the cabin bathroom (that was fine, but there is much more space, and a much more enjoyable experience in the locker room bathrooms - I had read about this tip many times before, but I had never done it. This cruise, I took a shower there once during the trip, but it was GREAT! Due to our room placement, it was incredibly simple and quick as well.)

4. Try to take a towel or two from the spa to use in your cabin. MUCH larger than the towels in the cabin, and also much more enjoyable.

5. Request that your table in Royal Palace doesn't have chairs with arms. While you are at it, request a table with a view!

6. Request to not be placed at one of the circular tables at Enchanted. We had a circular table, and it was fine - but this might be something to consider. After the third night, I was a little tired of having to do the scoot thing. (Also see #5 about requesting a table with a view.)

7. Walt Disney Theatre seating - The very last row has individual chairs, however the theatre seats in the back slanted part of the theatre have surprisingly low legroom and surprisingly small hip room. The last row also has compromised view. The best place to be is on the floor of the theatre, in about the first five rows. I have seen some families sit in individual chairs in the side balconies - if you can figure out how to do that, I would say that would be an excellent place as well.

8. Strongly consider getting at least one days pass to the Rainforest room! It is really amazing.

9. If you can book a service using the 0 gravity flotation bed - it seriously is fantastic as well.

Hope you enjoyed my tips and ideas - and I hope they help to make your cruise a more enjoyable experience. We can't wait to go again!

Best,

Leslie Ann

 

[Keurigirl]

We were in the Magic in March, and they had a robe in the spa to fit me (a size 22). The first time I went they just gave one to me, the 2nd time I went they gave me a smaller one but when I asked for a larger one they brought one to me.

 

[jdb in AZ]

We just got off the Fantasy today after a wonderful week-long trip in ocean bliss! This was our third DCL cruise and I have noticed that they just keep getting better and better!

It occurred to me yesterday that it might be helpful to other plus size passengers (like myself) if I passed on a couple tips that I discovered during the week. Sometimes it helps to be prepared with these kinds of things....

6. Request to not be placed at one of the circular tables at Enchanted. We had a circular table, and it was fine - but this might be something to consider. After the third night, I was a little tired of having to do the scoot thing. (Also see #5 about requesting a table with a view.)

9. If you can book a service using the 0 gravity flotation bed - it seriously is fantastic as well.


Leslie Ann

We've sailed on the classic ships, but not the Fantasy. Puhleeze explain:

Why do you have to scoot with a circular table?

What is the 0 gravity flotation bed?

Thanks!

 

[maria-fan-22]

We've sailed on the classic ships, but not the Fantasy. Puhleeze explain:

Why do you have to scoot with a circular table?

What is the 0 gravity flotation bed?

Thanks!

There are a few Round booths on the main drag into Enchanted Garden. These tables don't move and you have to scoot around the booth.

I would like to know about the beds as well…

 

[alicia1506]

we are flying from australia to orlando in november just to cruise on the fantasy, so these tips are a huge plus and have put my mind at rest.

i was in a spa in vegas and had confirmation from the manager that their robes went up to a 5x. when i went into the spa, they told me they had a one size fits all robe and no larger sizes, so i had to go fully clothed around the spa. talk about sticking out!! since then, i always bring my own robe to the spa, but thank you for the confirmation that it is needed.

i was planning on doing a spa day including the rainforest room, but was unsure of dress code. is it a communal area, or can u just wear your robe like in other private spas.

thank you also for the tip re: seats with arms. i'm not huge, but i am wide at the hips and depending on placement/height of the arm will depend on whether the experience is comfortable or excrutiating, especially if sitting for long periods.

also, i have heard that on the fantasy, several of the rows of chairs in the theatre have removable/liftable arms to create 'couples seats'.. do you have any experience or knowledge of this?

we are also interested in riding the aquaduck but wondering what kind of tolerance other cruisers have for those of us who are pooh sized? do you get filthy looks from others for daring to be out without a muu muu? i am around a 22/24 but have experienced some size-ist comments and slurs before and really don't want my vacation ruined by it

 

[ldymcbth]

we are also interested in riding the aquaduck but wondering what kind of tolerance other cruisers have for those of us who are pooh sized? do you get filthy looks from others for daring to be out without a muu muu? i am around a 22/24 but have experienced some size-ist comments and slurs before and really don't want my vacation ruined by it

I am an 18/20 and rode the aquaduck probably 8 times on our April Fantasy cruise, and spent lots of time pool side. I never felt uncomfortable in any way. My swimsuits are generally tasteful swimdresses - I don't wear 2 pieces - but I am certainly not in a muu muu.

 

[NejTheLion]

we are flying from australia to orlando in november just to cruise on the fantasy, so these tips are a huge plus and have put my mind at rest.

i was in a spa in vegas and had confirmation from the manager that their robes went up to a 5x. when i went into the spa, they told me they had a one size fits all robe and no larger sizes, so i had to go fully clothed around the spa. talk about sticking out!! since then, i always bring my own robe to the spa, but thank you for the confirmation that it is needed.

i was planning on doing a spa day including the rainforest room, but was unsure of dress code. is it a communal area, or can u just wear your robe like in other private spas.

thank you also for the tip re: seats with arms. i'm not huge, but i am wide at the hips and depending on placement/height of the arm will depend on whether the experience is comfortable or excrutiating, especially if sitting for long periods.

also, i have heard that on the fantasy, several of the rows of chairs in the theatre have removable/liftable arms to create 'couples seats'.. do you have any experience or knowledge of this?

we are also interested in riding the aquaduck but wondering what kind of tolerance other cruisers have for those of us who are pooh sized? do you get filthy looks from others for daring to be out without a muu muu? i am around a 22/24 but have experienced some size-ist comments and slurs before and really don't want my vacation ruined by it

I can't imagine you'd hear any negative comments like that. I'm around your size and have never experienced anything like that on DCL.

The AquaDuck shouldn't be a problem at all. It's at least four feet across and four feet tall, and you end up laying back on a big innertube. Only hard part for me is hoofing it up the stairs. When there's a line, it's actually good because it goes more slowly. Without a line, that's a couple flights of stairs you're making it up all at once.

As for the Rainforest Room, you should wear your bathing suit, but you could certainly wear your robe over top.

 

[figment52]

we are flying from australia to orlando in november just to cruise on the fantasy, so these tips are a huge plus and have put my mind at rest.

i was in a spa in vegas and had confirmation from the manager that their robes went up to a 5x. when i went into the spa, they told me they had a one size fits all robe and no larger sizes, so i had to go fully clothed around the spa. talk about sticking out!! since then, i always bring my own robe to the spa, but thank you for the confirmation that it is needed.

i was planning on doing a spa day including the rainforest room, but was unsure of dress code. is it a communal area, or can u just wear your robe like in other private spas.

thank you also for the tip re: seats with arms. i'm not huge, but i am wide at the hips and depending on placement/height of the arm will depend on whether the experience is comfortable or excrutiating, especially if sitting for long periods.

also, i have heard that on the fantasy, several of the rows of chairs in the theatre have removable/liftable arms to create 'couples seats'.. do you have any experience or knowledge of this?

we are also interested in riding the aquaduck but wondering what kind of tolerance other cruisers have for those of us who are pooh sized? do you get filthy looks from others for daring to be out without a muu muu? i am around a 22/24 but have experienced some size-ist comments and slurs before and really don't want my vacation ruined by it

The rainforest area of the spa is coed and swimsuits are required.

 

[alicia1506]

thank you so much to the PP for answering my questions and OP -sorry to hijack your thread with other questions.

i appreciate the comments re: swimsuits - mine is also a swimdress (the idea of a 2 piece is just laughable) but i do also tend to wear a coverup with it. thank you for putting my mind at ease.

also, thank you to the PP re rainforest room dress code. hugely appreciated.

 

[dunnhorn]

Hey everyone -

If you have received "plus size" robes at any of the Disney spas (including DCL) then that is fantastic! However, it hasn't been my experience, even on request. The last thing you want to deal with is "do you have a bigger robe" and for the hostess to say "yes, sure" and it isn't a plus size robe. I just wanted to post this as a note that DCL sadly isn't on line with other spas in the southeast that do clearly have plus robes (FWIW I didn't see any of the robes fitting tall, athletic guys either.)

The rainforest area is coed. I went there on the Dream, and I didn't remember it to be locked - I remembered walking right in and looking around. However, on the Fantasy, it is locked and is only accessible by a special watch key fob thingie. You exchange your room key for it - and you have to either have a pass for a week or a pass for a day (they put a sticker on your room key.) So, you can't just walk through or pass through it, or wait there for your service - you only have access with the key. It is a pain, but as a result it is MUCH less crowded. I went on the Western's 2nd sea day and I thought it was going to be packed, and there were only 6 other people in there. So, the system works.

The Rainforest room consists of 10 heated tile loungers with reading lights (fantastic), 2 stainless steel ocean view hot tubs with a lounger seat inside (really, each one is meant to accommodate two - but I wouldn't get in it without knowing the other person) and then the 4 special rainforest showers, and a sauna, steam room and a steam/sauna room. You do need to wear a bathing suit, as there are no curtains on the showers. The robe definitely helps. I wore a swim coverup that was bright blue and I was wishing that I had packed my white waffle spa robe.

The 0 gravity bed is amazing. It is like a thick waterbed that is filled with hot mud. It is slightly smaller than a twin sized bed. You lie flat on a hard surface, and then the bed comes up around you to "cradle" you in the hot mud stuff while they give you a scalp massage and then a foot reflexology massage. I received the seaweed wrap at the same time - so I was wrapped in a cocoon floating on the 0 gravity bed thing getting a massage on the different ends. To say it was memorable is an understatement. My husband was given a "test run" on it during his spa tour - so if this description piques your interest, ask if you can see it/try it during the embarkation day spa tour. I did the tour, and they didn't mention it at all. He went and did the tour and came back and told me about it and I rushed to the spa immediately to book a service on it. We both took advantage of the embarkation day spa specials because I had read on these boards that the 1st nights show wasn't that great. All I have to say is THANK YOU for the disboards, because instead of sitting in a mediocre show, we were in the spa for 2.5 hours!

I can get a fabulous $55 hot stone massage near to my house in Atlanta, so I don't feel moved to pay $190 for a hot stone massage on the ship. However to get a bizarre-o body polish, seaweed wrap over a 0 gravity flotation bed??? I'm in.

Also - one other tip... If any of your party does the Pirate Night makeover with full makeup, remember they have facial cleaner/cleanser in the locker rooms of the spa!

Anyway - hope any of this helps! ENJOY your time on the Dream/Fantasy!

Best,

Leslie Ann

 

[Eliza32]

Still waiting to find out about the 0 gravity bed though.........

ETA oops, pp slipped in whilst I was typing!!

 

[mrp4352]

we are also interested in riding the aquaduck but wondering what kind of tolerance other cruisers have for those of us who are pooh sized? do you get filthy looks from others for daring to be out without a muu muu? i am around a 22/24 but have experienced some size-ist comments and slurs before and really don't want my vacation ruined by it

I figure if Morrow and his son (from Cake Boss) can ride the AquaDuck together - then I'm going to fit (size 26/28)! Watch out AquaDuck - I'm riding in July!

 

[dunnhorn]

Oh yeah - plenty of "pooh sized" guests rode the Aquaduck. I know there is a minimum weight, but never saw a max weight.

Just BEWARE - on the Fantasy (not sure about the Dream) they will automatically take your picture at a certain point on the Aquaduck on Sat, Sun and Monday. Then they post the pictures, so you have to wade through them to see if you can find yours. I looked for pix of my hubby and son but never found them... At any rate, during this process, I saw PLENTY of guests in the 26/28 size range. Let's just say, they weren't the most flattering of pictures - of anyone. I just wanted you to be aware!

 

[dunnhorn]

Still waiting to find out about the 0 gravity bed though.........

ETA oops, pp slipped in whilst I was typing!!

Hi Eliza... check my long posting just above...

 

[dunnhorn]

mine is also a swimdress (the idea of a 2 piece is just laughable) but i do also tend to wear a coverup with it. thank you for putting my mind at ease.

I was once solely into the swimdress... however the fine ladies at a local Catherines store turned me onto the tankini. LOVE IT! I haven't been in a swimdress in quite some time... You can get a nice top and a skort, and some are even more flattering than a swimdress (not to mention MUCH easier to navigate in the bathroom!) I am sold. The only places I will buy swimdresses, though is Catherines or Lands End. HTH

 

[LivingtheWDWdream]

Oh yeah - plenty of "pooh sized" guests rode the Aquaduck. I know there is a minimum weight, but never saw a max weight.

Just BEWARE - on the Fantasy (not sure about the Dream) they will automatically take your picture at a certain point on the Aquaduck on Sat, Sun and Monday. Then they post the pictures, so you have to wade through them to see if you can find yours. I looked for pix of my hubby and son but never found them... At any rate, during this process, I saw PLENTY of guests in the 26/28 size range. Let's just say, they weren't the most flattering of pictures - of anyone. I just wanted you to be aware!

I stopped caring what people thought of what I looked like in a bathing suit, or in photos and just did what I felt like doing. We didn't realize they took photos but if they were not flattering oh well, since we don't buy the photos usually. We have bought maybe 3 photos in 4 cruises.

If anyone doesn't like having to see what I look like in a bathing suit or on a ride then they can close their eyes, or keep looking through the photos. My point is if your plus size don't let anyone or anything make you avoid something just because it might make someone else uncomfortable to look at you or a photo.

There is no maximum weight for the aquaduck and from past experience on tube rides the heavier you are the faster you go which makes the aquaduck that much more exciting.

If you are uncomfortable with anyone seeing your photo knowing the days they take them will make it helpful to know when to go down and look for your photos so you can move them to your private photo binder. So thank you for posting those days so people can make sure to find their photos if they are wanting to either dispose of, buy, or put away in their binder that photo.



A Tip for those who go to the buena vista theater to watch a movie. If you sit in the row where the handicap accessible seats are located there are some seats that have arms that lift as well. My mother and I both used those seats when we saw the Muppet movie.

 

[MKEMSE]

Can a person (24/26W size) fit on the sofa bed? Are they the same on all ships? TIA

 

[dunnhorn]

Yes, I would say so. Although I didn't lie on one, my son has slept there on all 3 trips we have taken and he is about my height. The bed folds flat to be about the size of a twin.

The bed coming down from the ceiling has a weigh limit of 200#. Aside from that, I think there is an issue of it being too short for most adults. But then again, YMMV. I wouldn't hesitate sleeping on the sofa bed though. If the upper birth is down, you wouldn't be able to sit on it though without hitting your head (you could lean forward and sit on the edge.)

There is a round chair at the vanity in the room. It is circular and I fit in it but it was quite snug. The balcony chairs are great and are easy for those of us with wide hips.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

That 0 gravity bed... was it clothed or non clothed? LOL sorry.

I also wondered about the dining rooms, the pictures make it look like the tables are so close together and I am worried that with my larger shaped body in one of the chairs I will block the table behind or the isle. Any comments?

 

[ImDMous]

I also wondered about the dining rooms, the pictures make it look like the tables are so close together and I am worried that with my larger shaped body in one of the chairs I will block the table behind or the isle. Any comments?

Sometimes I thought they were a little close together. We usually got there early so there weren't too many people already sitting around us. Also, we had an 8 person table so if one chair was a little too close to a wall or pole or whatever, I just sat in a different one. I'm a 22/24'ish sized person and I really never had any problems fitting anywhere. The Aquaduck was awesome, there were plenty of "meaty" people all around the pool, not all skinny minnies. The bathroom was a little small, but still completely functional. Some of the theater seats were a little tight, but no shoe horn was required. Overall, just don't worry about it. I was a little apprehensive/self-conscious when we started and it was really a non-issue.